Science Projects for Kids: Weather and Seasons

Sunrise, Sunset is a science project for kids that teaches how daylight changes with the seasons. You and your kids will have to wake up early to keep track of where the sun rises and sets.

What You'll Need:

Paper

Pen

Learn About Sunrise, Sunset:

Step 1: Get up early one morning and watch the sun rise. You'll see it best in an open area, such as a beach, lake shore, or large, flat field. Notice where the sun rises in relation to fixed objects (such as hills or trees) near the horizon.

Up Next

Step 2: Keep notes about this. (For example, you might write: "Sun rose just to the right of the big hill.") Make a diagram showing the eastern and western horizons. Mark where you saw the sun rise.

Step 3: The same day (or as soon as you can), go to the same place and watch the sun set. Again, notice where the sun sets in relation to hills or trees on the horizon. Mark the spot on your diagram.

Step 4: About three months later, repeat the activity. Notice where the sun rises and sets in relation to those same hills or trees. (Check your notes from last time.) Mark the spots on your diagram.

Has the sun moved? The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. It's really the Earth that has moved. As the Earth orbits the sun, it changes how much it tilts toward the sun. The result is that the sun rises and sets in different places on the horizon. Be careful not to look directly at the sun.

We've all heard of acid rain, but the next science project for kids demonstrates its effects dramatically. Read about Rain, Rain -- Go Away on the next page of science projects for kids: weather and seasons.